'Daddy, Am I a Hindu?'

For Indian-American parents perturbed by their inability to answer probing questions on Hinduism by their U.S.-born children, a new book should come as a panacea.

Appropriately titled "Daddy, Am I A Hindu?" the compact 182-page book, written by Ed Viswanathan, sets out to answer basic questions on Hinduism as well as clear up old misconceptions.

Viswanathan, an electrical engineer who works for the city of New Orleans, says in his candid preface that the book grew out of his own personal need.

After many years of...